Artificial sweeteners do not aid weight loss or improve health, says WHO

Artificial sweeteners and foods that contain them should not be used to try to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases as there is no evidence of any long term benefit, the World Health Organization has advised.In fact, long term use of what WHO calls non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality, found a review of the evidence from a recent systematic review, meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials, and prospective observational studies, which formed the basis of the new guidelines.1 The evidence for the recommendation was judged to be of low certainty overall.Francesco Branca, WHO director for nutrition and food safety, said, “Replacing free sugars with NSS does not help with weight control in the long term. People need to consider other ways to reduce free sugars intake, such as consuming food with naturally occurring sugars, like fruit,…
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